Robertsdale

Personal Injury Attorney Advocating for Victims in Robertsdale and Surrounding Areas

Robertsdale is a city located in Baldwin County that is home to about 5,000 people. The city was incorporated in 1921 and has a total area of about five and a half square miles. Each year, the city hosts the Baldwin County Fair in the fall and a parade in December. Residents and visitors in the area can enjoy attractions such as Garrett Park, Kids’ Splash Park, and the City of Robertsdale Walking and Bike Trail. Just as with other Alabama communities, people there are often hurt in accidents that are not their fault. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, experienced Robertsdale personal injury lawyer Whit A. Thomas can help. He is committed to protecting the rights of people who are seeking a car accident attorney or guidance with other claims based on accidents.

Pursuing a Negligence Claim Following a Serious Accident

Whether you were hit by a careless driver, you slipped and fell on a wet floor, or you were hurt by an incompetent doctor, your case probably will be built on a theory of negligence. This means that the defendant failed to take the appropriate precautions that a reasonable person would have taken. For example, a driver might have run a red light, a grocery store might have failed to sweep away spilled food, or a cardiologist might have failed to order the appropriate tests for a patient. In addition to showing that the defendant behaved unreasonably, the plaintiff would need to prove that they would not have been hurt otherwise.

In some situations, more than one defendant may be sued by a victim. A common scenario in which this happens is when an individual was acting in the scope of their job duties for their employer when they caused the accident. This may allow a victim to invoke the doctrine of vicarious liability and hold the employer liable for the carelessness of the employee. Vicarious liability is often a useful doctrine because it may improve the victim’s chances of receiving the compensation that they are awarded. Companies tend to have more assets and insurance than most individuals.

Alabama follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, under which a plaintiff is barred from recovering any compensation at all if they contributed to the accident in any way. This sometimes leads to unfair results and has been abandoned by most other states in the country. For example, a driver might have caused an accident by texting while driving and failing to notice a stop sign as a result. However, if the victim was moderately speeding at the time, they might be considered to have contributed somewhat to the accident. There are a few exceptions to this rule. For example, children under the age of 14 are generally presumed not to be capable of being negligent, so contributory negligence would not apply to a victim under that age. In general, though, contributory negligence is a defense commonly invoked by defendants and insurers. You need to get a knowledgeable lawyer in your corner at the outset to help prevent blame from being shifted to you.

Alabama law allows victims of negligence to pursue compensation for their injuries. Plaintiffs may typically recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include items like past, present, and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, property damage, and lost wages. Non-economic damages often involve pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and disability, among others.

Discuss Your Situation with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Robertsdale

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it is important to reach out to a skilled Robertsdale personal injury attorney who can analyze your case. Whit A. Thomas can provide you with an honest assessment of your claim. We understand that this is a stressful time for your family and you, and you can expect the utmost compassion from our team. We represent people in many areas of Southern Alabama, such as Fairhope, Daphne, Gulf Shores, Mobile, Altmore, Monroeville, and other communities in Baldwin, Mobile, Escambia, and Monroe Counties. Call us at (251) 943-9330 or contact us online if you want to set up a free initial appointment with a personal injury or wrongful death lawyer.